Breakneck

by Zoe Dawson

A man trained for precision. A woman who shatters his aim.

Kelly “Breakneck” Gatlin and his SEAL Team are tasked with a joint operation with the DEA and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to take down a deadly cartel. Their liaison is Sergeant Blair Brown, is sharp, relentless, and a little blindsided by Breakneck.

After a devastating blow tied to an ugly family secret, Breakneck is a man unraveling. He handles the fallout the only way he knows how. Restraint, mission focus, and the brotherhood. Then he meets the woman in charge.

Blair is fierce, fearless, and impossible to ignore. The way she takes charge. The way she refuses to back down. The unexpected softness beneath her steel. Before he realizes it, she’s under his skin, heat and temptation wrapped in a Mountie uniform.

She has a job to do. Dismantling a cartel alongside an elite SEAL team is dangerous enough without losing her focus over one devastatingly intense sniper. Wanting him is reckless. Dangerous.

But Mounties are known for their persistence.

One way or another…she intends to get her man.

789 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 14, 2026

About the author

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Zoe Dawson, the author of 40+ books had always dreamed of becoming a full-time romance writer. Her other passions include traveling the world, owning a beach house (she believes she was a mermaid in another life), and seeing her books in movies. When she’s not writing, she’s painting or killing virtual MMORPG monsters in World of Warcraft. She lives in North Carolina with her two grown children and one small, furry gray cat.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Mahle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure that I even have words. This book was fantastic! It was so intense it had me on the edge of my seat for most of it. The book has the bonus of having two heavy threads weaving through the book. The greater share of the book is about Breakneck, Kelly Gatlin, and Staff Sergeant Blair Brown (A Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), a Mountie!!!). Breakneck is recruited by two DEA agents to go undercover in an operation in western Canada. A move that Ice is extremely angry about. After almost dying he is joined by his team at the Mounties headquarters. This is where Blair and Breakneck meet. Breakneck is fighting the demons of his past and trying to get a grip on where he’s been and where he’s going. Blair has her own demons that she’s fighting as well. She lost a promising career as a ballerina due to injury and remade herself very successfully into an officer with the RCMP. As they work through the case they also work on their own issues; individually and blending them together, making them even stronger.

The other thread involves Fly, Than and Mei as they complete their senior year at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. Their friendship (known as the brain trust) has guided them through the years of school. Fly and Mei are neck and neck to be the valedictorian of their class. The three of them are also members of the varsity sailing team on the Valor. Fly is the captain and leads with his uncanny ability to read the water. They are competing in a race against Harvard when tragedy strikes. All their lives are changed in a blink of an eye. After graduation, Fly and Than head to BUDS, after a brief stay with Bear.

I know that my words aren’t doing justice to this book. It is a beautifully written book weaving these threads masterfully together. I’m sad that one series is ending but very excited about where the new one is going.

Plus, as a Canadian, I love that this was partially set in Canada!

[De Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely and completely amazing! Once I picked it up I gad to force myself to put the book down to sleep. I really didn’t want to stop reading. The first chapter grabbed my attention and the story kept me invested from the first line to the last. I was on the edge of my seat. Parts had clutching my chest and gasping, and others had swooning and fanning my face. Breakneck and Blair are amazing together. They each have demons they are fighting and damage they hold in their souls. But their broken pieces just fit together, making the bind between them even stronger. The chemistry these two share is beyond hot and so intense. And watching everything grow and develop with their story was just as intense. I also loved the storyline of Fly, North, and Mei. I didn’t expect to get so invested in this part but I was. These two stories really fit together well in the book and I found myself wanting to know what happened with both groups. When all was said and done I was left feeling satisfied with the ending the book got and cannot wait to read more in this series. Seeing Kelly go through what he did broke my heart but watching the pieces come back together, then come together, was endearing and repaired my soul. This was such a good book. I’m not sure if I’ll ever get over this.

[Cheryl Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hands down the most emotionally charged story that I’ve ever read and since I have read all of Zoe’s books that is saying a lot. She takes you on such an emotional ride, you are left a hot mess, I know I was! This is literally two books in one and if you read it be prepared to fall in love, grieve, laugh, cry and wish that it never ends!! If you choose to not read it, you are missing out on an amazing story! Choose wisely!! I received this book for free and I’m giving you my honest opinion of this book because to choose too. Wow, talk about a cute meet between Blair and Breakneck, HOT, deadly and fierce!! I loved the dynamics between Mei, Than and Fly. It’s amazing to feel that deeply about each other. Friendship triangles seldom work but these three are something special. It’s exciting to watch a deeper love blossom between two of them. Nope, I’m not telling which two. I really enjoy the flow of the story. Just when my adrenaline was pumping from one scene Zoe changed the scene completely and I was left craving answers. It was great!! Made me want to skip chapters, but I didn’t and you shouldn’t either! Just enjoy the ride!!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed a copy "BREAKNECK" given by the author whose stories pull you & don't let go always excited to read, their full of suspense, intense drama, fear, intrigue, emotional turmoil, humor, steam, anguish, enemies to deal with.
Kelly "Breakneck" Galtlin along with his fellow Seal Team are in a mission with the DEA & Royal Mounted Police wanting to take down a deadly Cartel.
Sergeant Blair Brown a liason working with Breakneck & his team with an attraction to him, he seems to be dealing with some terrible family secrets he's not dealing well with.
Breakneck meets Blair who's quit smart, strong, in she takes charge no problem getting deep under his skin the more she's around.
Blair is their to help Breakneck to take down the Cartel along with his Elite Seal Team she can't get distracted by he Sniper known as Breakneck, it would be reckless, dangerious.
Will Breakneck & Bliar be able to get their HEA all while trying to take down the Cartel you absolutely don't want to miss the finale to this series its a page turner to the end.

[Arlene M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly “Breakneck” Gatling a tier 1 operator Navy Seal.
Sgt Blair Brown Royal Canadian Mountie Police.
Breakneck and Blair meet , when he is taken prisoner on an undercover DEA mission.
Later he and his Navy Seal team with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on a joint mission
to end the drug cartel.
Breakneck and Blair each have their own demons they are dealing with, Blair her family’s approval
and Breakneck his paternal parent .
Can they overcome their demons focus on the mission by dealing with the cartel and the leak
In RCMP station. Preparedness of missions against the cartel.
Can Blair, Breakneck and their teams overcome their obstacles?
Can Blair and Breakneck have a a happily Ever After?
You will have to read the book and it will be worth it!

This book has edge of your seat suspense, danger , emotions, some drama , twists and turns.

Great Job. Zoe Dawson !!!

[BecReadReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

​Experiencing Breakneck simultaneously with Fly & North in Zoe's SEAL Team Tier 1 finale will absolutely destroy you. These characters reach into your chest and rip your heart out; the ugly tears are inevitable as the engulfing sorrow and pain hit you with full force. Blair commands total respect, keeping you on edge as she takes on the villains alongside Breakneck and his broken pieces. Meanwhile, Fly and North embody a bond that goes far beyond normal friendship. This brotherhood never fails to deliver laughter, banter, and support when the dark comes calling, leaving you breathless as you absorb every hard-fought fight, every achievement, and their hard-won happiness.

[Su2108 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read almost all of Zoe's work and loved every single one of them. But Breakneck, the series finale for Seal Team Tier 1 was something else! 💜

This book simultaneously destroyed and repaired me, leaving me feeling every conceivable emotion possible; pain, anguish, fear, anger, joy and more. I laughed, I cried, I wanted to throw the book down in frustration. This book has it ALL!

Writing Kelly and Blair's story alongside the 'start' of North and Fly's was nothing short of brilliant, a perfect segue into their own series, I hope. And let's not forget Ayla.

This book is an absolute must-read for readers who love military suspense & romance.

[Foodiegirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Zoe Dawson does it again. Just hold on and enjoy the wild ride! I really enjoyed the storyline; my adrenaline was pumping from one scene to the next. Although Zoe did changed one scene which I was desperately craving answers to. Blair and Breakneck are so hot together, plus being so intimidating, fierce, and deadly!

I wasn't expecting a triangle between Mei, Than, and Fly. Watching a deeper love blossom between two of them was amazing. Their love so deep and satisfying. I can't wait until the next book from Zoe she always gives us an incredible story to fall in love with along with plenty of excitement.

[JustJeri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fantastic read by Ms Dawson. The story had action, intrigue, romance, and two great protagonists who had their own issues, but together they were invincible. I was engrossed from the first page and wasn’t happy when I had to put the book down. Ms Dawson has such an amazing talent with her writing and creative abilities. All her books are must reads. I received a complimentary ARC, but I am voluntarily offering my personal opinion. No one has asked me, or required me, to submit a review. It is my choice.

[Kurtins R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!
Another awesome hop into this Seal world that Zoe Dawson has created.
The intensity and tragedy of this story had me in tears as well as chuckling a little along the way.
The way that Kelly (Breakneck's) and Blair's story is offset by what Fly and Than are going through is INTENSE!
An the the ending for those 2 baby seals!!!
Breakneck and Blair are a great couple both focused and calm with a lot going on under the surface.
Loved it.!

[Cindy King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It will make you laugh and cry. The characters are so good and have so much depth and honor. You will never want it to end. Zoe Dawson has never written a bad book. You should read everything she has written starting with Ruckus for her Navy Seals and Leashed with her Going to the Dogs series. You will not be disappointed!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. This book and me a mess from Jim street. Zoe Dawson had said this was a hard book for her as she wanted to get it right and do it justice. Boy how she did it. You will cry and laugh this whole book. It has the action pack of the op and the feels for the love. Read this book with tissue on standby. Looking forward to the “new” seals she going to introduce us to.

[Hope A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

Zoe writes a compelling story, filled with both good and evil! Suspense, drama, back stabbers, laughter, love, romance, unity in teams, heroes, heroines, on two legs, on four legs! Community that you make together filled with brightness and rightness!

[April Schmitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's done it again ...

I genuinely don't know how she does it book after book, series after series, but Ms. Zoe - I'm a ride or die. Breakneck and Blair not only met your standards, they exceeded them. I can't wait for what comes next with Flash ...and beyond!

[Tom Prejsner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance

I don't want them to end. I love all the guys. I can't wait for flash to come out along fly and his powerful friends. Thank you for the excellent story.